When you live in a city like Singapore, you can’t avoid dishes that have rice or noodles as the major ingredient. And when it comes to iconic rice-based foods you must taste in Singapore, we’ve got a couple to choose from.
Every grain of rice is separate but imbued with spices in a perfect serving of biryani, which is served with a big piece of soft meat or veggies. Long-grained rice, such as basmati, is typically used in biryani, and it is cooked in a sealed pot with spices and marinated meat over an extended period of time. Here is my list of recommended places for great tasting biryani in Singapore!
The Islamic Restaurant’s decor is more opulent than you’d expect from a 95-year-old biryani shop. The late presidents Yusoff Ishak and SR Nathan, as well as the sultans of Brunei, Johor, and Perak, were regular guests, and the restaurant served feasts fit for a king. Abdul Rahiman, the owner, used to be the head chef for the rich Alsagoff family, and his biryani was particularly popular.
Today, Rahiman’s grandson runs the Islamic Restaurant, which still keeps the biryani recipe a secret. While there are six different versions of the meal ($10-13), the mutton biryani ($10) is the undisputed standout, with big chunks of fork-tender meat hidden behind a mountain of fragrant basmati rice.
Address: 735 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198703
Opening Hours: Sat to Thu (10am – 10pm) | Fri (10am – 1pm, 2pm – 10pm)
Hyderabadi dum biryani, a traditional culinary method of slow-cooking spicy meats with par-boiled rice, is Mr Biryani’s specialty. Try their signature classic Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani ($12.90), which combines spice-marinated chicken with fragrant basmati rice.
For other types of meat, try one of the other variations, which include kampong chicken, lamb rack, lamb shank and many others. You too can get a ticket to flavour town if you’re a vegetarian with their Jackfruit Dhum Biryani ($12.90) that is equally delicious.
Address: 32 Norris Rd, Singapore 208274
Opening Hours: Tues to Sun (11am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm)
When it comes to bragging rights, Bismillah’s Biryani gets a nod from Anthony Bourdain himself, who visited the eatery as part of his travel and cuisine series The Layover. Soon after, crowds flocked to Bismillah for a taste of Singapore’s most ‘genuine’ biryani.
The meat is cooked with the rice and spices in the dum-style, giving the meal an extraordinary depth of flavour. Chicken dum biryani (from $6), kid goat biryani (from $10), lamb shank biryani ($20), the melt-in-your-mouth mutton seekh kebab ($12), and kulfi ($2.50) are some of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
Address: 50 Dunlop St, Singapore 209379 / multiple location
Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am – 8.45pm
You probably imagine sophisticated cafes and exquisite eateries when you think about Dempsey’s lush greenery. That isn’t always the case, though. Enter Samy’s Curry, an age-old Indian curry eatery with a business model that isn’t based on its ambience or design.
A mountain of biryani rice bathed in the resto’s famed fish head curry, along with delectable morsels of chicken masala and fish cutlet on the side, is our go-to combination. Because the facility isn’t air-conditioned, a mug of lime juice is your best bet for staying cool.
Address: 25 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249670
Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu to Sun (11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm) | Closed on Tuesdays
Sakunthala’s will enchant you with every taste if you’re yearning delectable Indian cuisine. The menu is chock-full of North and South Indian (as well as Chinese) foods, but the Prawn Biryani ($12.50) has our attention. Skip the traditional chicken and mutton dishes and go straight for the crustacean alternative. The prawns are cooked in a dum biryani style with basmati rice that is more unique than the rest but equally delicious.
Address: 66 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218570
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10.30pm
Expect to queue and wait for your food, particularly during lunchtime! Because these areas are so popular, they fill up quickly. When it comes to finding good food, these places on this list will not let you down.
This article was brought to you by Raj who is currently fleeing the battle~
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